THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511080131
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Vicki Lewis
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Ann Robin is vice president for fund-raising for the Virginia Symphony League, which raises money for the Virginia Symphony.
The former director of corporate giving for GTE in Stanford, Conn., Robin became involved with the league through a ``happy accident.''
She and her husband had subscribed to season tickets for the symphony, but they had not yet arrived when the season was to begin. A call to find out what happened to the tickets led to a discussion about her experience in publicity and fund-raising, which led to her being asked to become involved in the Norfolk-based Symphony League. She became the league's publicity chairman in 1991 and was appointed to her current post in 1993.
The league has three major money-raising events a year: a luncheon/fashion show in November, a car raffle in April and an auction in June. This year's fashion show, which was held Nov. 2, raised $10,000.
``We no sooner finish (the fashion show) than we start working on a car raffle,'' she said.
Her work with the league, she said, is almost like a full-time job, but she does it because she really enjoys it.
Name: Ann Robin.
Nickname: ``Miss Webster'' (after the dictionary).
What brought you to Hampton Roads: Early retirement from a corporate career.
Birthplace: New York City (Bronx Borough).
Birthdate: Can't remember.
Occupation: Volunteer (Virginia Symphony League vice president for fund-raising).
Marital status: Married.
Children: None.
Last book read: Barbara Bush's ``A Memoir.''
Favorite movie: ``Funny Girl,'' ``Meet Me in St. Louis.''
Favorite magazine: Guideposts, Prevention, Reader's Digest.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? The chairman and chief executive of any Blue Chip corporation (GTE, IBM, for example) - to be the first to break the ``glass ceiling.''
Biggest accomplishment: Developing national programs for the GTE Foundation (1979-87) that are ongoing today. This year, two math and science teachers at Cox High School in Virginia Beach received a $12,000 grant. It makes me feel so good.
Most embarrassing moment: Having to explain to GTE's CEO why a shareholder's ballot was not collected when I held an earlier community relations role while in charge of ushers at the annual shareholders meeting.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Learn to slow down.
Perfect way to spend the day: Cooking up a storm for friends coming to dinner that evening.
Favorite vacation spot: Southern Italy, on the Adriatic.
Pet peeve: Motorists who tailgate or run red lights.
First job: Secretary at Look magazine in New York City in 1948.
Worst job: Thankfully, none.
Hobbies: Helping the Virginia Symphony League raise money for the 75-year-old symphony.
Favorite restaurant: I enjoy my own cooking too much to name one.
What do you like most about Norfolk? For me, Hampton Roads is the ``land of pleasant living.''
What do you like least about Norfolk? I have no complaints. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by BETH BERGMAN
by CNB